FAQ - The Basics of Smoking a Brisket

Q: I am new to the smoking thing. I just bought a beef brisket this evening and have yet to smoke anything. I am not sure how to smoke and was wondering when smoking meat do you only put wood in the smoker one time or do you constantly have to check the wood and once it is gone do you add more. Like I said I am a newbie at this and dont want to screw up $25.00 worth of meat.

Do you know of any place where I can find the basics of smoking?

Thanks and I love your site.

A: I do not know what kind of smoker you have so I will try and explain the basics in as few words as possible. I am assuming you are using charcoal and unless you have a really huge smoker that is best. You should use Lump Charcoal which is cleaner and burns hotter than briquettes.

Start your fire as usual and when you have a good bed of coals add some smoking wood chunks of hickory, mesquite or just about any hardwood or fruitwood to the coals. Just as soon as it starts to smoke add the meat to the smoker.

Maintain 225 degrees in the smoker using the air intake on the smoker to control the temperature.. more air makes the fire burn hotter, less air it burns cooler.

The brisket will require about 1.5 hours per pound cook time so an 8 pound brisket will take 12 hours or better to complete.

Note: You can also use wood chips by wrapping a handful in a large sheet of aluminum foil and then poking 4 or 5 holes in the top. Lay the foil package right on top of the coals.

You need to continue to replenish the chunks/chips until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees at which point the meat stops taking on smoke.

After that point you just continue to maintain 225 degrees until the brisket reaches 180 degrees for slicing or about 200 degrees for pulling.

Here are a few resources that you should definitely check out to help you turn out a perfect brisket:

• 4 Secrets to Smoking Brisket
• Juicy Smoked Brisket Tutorial
• The All Night Brisket Smoke
• The Smoking Meat Forums
  
  I also have a basic smoking eCourse that I sell for $3.99 and if you are interested you can purchase it at the link below:

Smoking Basics eCourse

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